Alexander's speech is an echo of Blair

Douglas Alexander

By David Blair, Diplomatic Correspondent

12:01AM BST 14 Jul 2007

Commentary

Rarely has a junior member of the Cabinet sparked so much interest with a speech.

Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary, has been interpreted as saying that Britain will ditch the blind loyalty to Washington of the Blair years and adopt a more critical, independent approach towards the Bush administration. Yet an element of wishful thinking has crept into this analysis.

In fact, Mr Alexander's words were consistent with central themes of Tony Blair's foreign policy, and the former prime minister could easily have delivered his speech.

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On the defining principles of that policy, Mr Alexander said: "We need to demonstrate by our deeds, words and our actions that we are internationalist, not isolationist, multi-lateralist, not unilateralist, active and not passive and driven by core values, consistently applied, not special interests."

In the most important foreign policy speech of his premiership, delivered in Chicago in March 1999, Mr Blair proclaimed that he was "dedicated to the cause of internationalism and against isolationism" and said: "Now our actions are guided by a more subtle blend of mutual self interest and moral purpose in defending the values we cherish. In the end values and interests merge."

As for the need to avoid unilateralism, Mr Blair said: "Just as within domestic politics, the notion of community - the belief that partnership and co-operation are essential to advance self-interest - is coming into its own; so it needs to find its own international echo." It is hard to slide a cigarette paper between him and Mr Alexander.

Whether under Gordon Brown or Mr Blair, Britain favours international co-operation through the United Nations and sees its foreign policy as being guided by values.